Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: E – D – A – E
Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E is E, G# and B; D is D, F# and A; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EVDIVAIEV
- EE · G# · B
- DD · F# · A
- AA · C# · E
92 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Pop heartbeat
Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs. Musicians call it root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Pop heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Run-up chords
Four steady chords plus a quick extra one leading into the next bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Run-up chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 160 BPM
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: D – E – A
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DEA

What chords are in Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset?

The loop is E – D – A – E (V – IV – I – V) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.

What key is Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset in?

A major, at about 160 beats a minute in 2/2.

What does the left hand play in Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset?

Pop heartbeat: root bass · charleston push (1 · 2& · 3), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.